ACCRINGTON Stanley goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis hopes to face his hero for the first time tomorrow, knowing an appearance against Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer could be his first chance to stake a claim to be the Australian number one’s long-term replacement.

When Stanley host Fulham, Bouzanis knows Australia will be watching.

With delayed coverage of the full 90 minutes due to be shown on television Down Under, the battle of the keepers is likely to be the headline-grabber.

For Stanley, it is a first ever home tie against Premier League opposition and a first appearance in the fourth round since 1959. For Bouzanis, it could be equally significant.

Australia’s goalkeeper at the Under 20 World Cup in August, the highly-rated Liverpool stopper is only just making his first forays into first-team football after joining Stanley on loan in November.

That alone was exciting enough for the 19-year-old but then, after Tuesday’s third round win against Gillingham, along came the chance to face his idol.

“It’s a big thing for me to get a chance to compare myself to him and see what I need to improve,” said Bouzanis of 37-year-old Schwarzer, who has played a key part in arguably Australia’s most successful era.

“Growing up as a young boy watching the Socceroos he was someone I looked up to, because he has been the keeper for Australia for a long time now.

“He’s a hero to all young Australian goalkeepers. We all remember his saves.

“I’ve never met him before but I’ll go up and say hello after the game and hopefully I can get his jersey.

“My mates in Australia will be watching and there might be interest because it’s a young Australian keeper playing against the established international.

“And we might be coming to the point soon where Australia start to look for a replacement because he is getting on a bit.

“There are a lot of young keepers who will want to replace him. This game will be on television, so it is a chance for me to showcase what I can do.”